The Camino de Santiago also passes through Arousa: The Camino de Santiago is one of the most emblematic pilgrimage routes in the world, with multiple variants that lead to the city of Santiago de Compostela. Among the most famous roads are the French, the Portuguese, the Primitive or the Vía de la Plata. However, many are unaware that any of these routes cross the Arousa region.
That's right, the Camino de Santiago also passes through Arousa, also including the estuary as the protagonist in some of its stages. In total there are three paths that run through the O Salnés region and that place these municipalities on the map for pilgrims who choose variants of the original path.
Spiritual Variant of the Portuguese Way
The Spiritual Variant of the Portuguese Way, perhaps one of the best known, is a route of approximately 70 kilometers divided into four stages, one of them by boat. This itinerary begins in Pontevedra and ends in Santiago de Compostela, passing through emblematic places in the O Salnés region such as Armenteira, Vilanova de Arousa and the estuary that names our capital, the Ría de Arousa.
The first stage of the route starts from Pontevedra and reaches Armenteira, the second section ends in Vilanova de Arousa, reaching the coastal section of the route. From there we leave for Padrón with a particularity that undoubtedly characterizes this route, its section by boat. A river crossing through the Ría de Arousa and the Ulla River, remembering the arrival of the Apostle Santiago to Galicia. Once in Padrón, only the fourth and final stage of this route would be missing, which ends in Santiago de Compostela.
Despite its popularity and having many of the characteristic elements of the official routes, this variant does not allow you to obtain the Compostela, however, this would be possible if it is combined with the last 100 km of any other Portuguese route.
Arousa Sea and Ulla River Route
This maritime and river route commemorates the arrival of the body of the Apostle Santiago to Galicia. Its route starts from the Pedras Negras Yacht Club, in O Grove, and extends over 40 nautical miles, crossing 22 municipalities of Pontevedra and A Coruña, including Cambados, A Illa de Arousa, Sanxenxo, Vilagarcía de Arousa and Catoira.
Pilgrims can obtain their credentials at these points and take the boat trip to Padrón. From there, the path continues on foot for 25 kilometers to Santiago. Due to its predominantly maritime character, this route is also not officially recognized as part of the Camino de Santiago, but it is a unique option to experience the Apostle's river crossing.
Father Sarmiento Route
The Padre Sarmiento Route is a 190 kilometer route, the most complete of these three routes and divided into nine stages that cover the entire coast of the O Salnés region. This route follows in the footsteps of the friar and scholar Father Sarmiento, who in the 18th century made a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela documenting the landscape and culture of Galicia that he so admired.
FOUNTAIN: AROUSA DIARY
